Leading African-American ministers have called on the University of Colorado, Boulder, to rehire fired football coach Jon Embree and to examine systemic race-related problems with athletics and other programs.

Embree wasn’t given enough time, resources or respect to turn around in only two seasons a football program handed to him in ruins, the pastors said in a prepared statement read at a press conference Monday.

“What African-American coach — or what African-American player can trust this institution,” said Pastor Reginald Holmes of New Covenant Christian Church. “I would not trust this institution.”

Pastor Paul Burleson, vice president of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance, said during the conference held the CU administration building in Denver that several aspects of Embree’s firing were troubling.

Burleson said there are glaring disparities in the way Embree has been treated compared with his predecessor, coach Dan Hawkins, who was given given more time and greater incentives to succeed before termination.

There was “a rush to judgment” with Embree, said Pastor Patrick Demmer Jr. of Graham Memorial Community Church of God in Christ.

“Players were dumbfounded they would treat the coach (Embree) in that manner,” Burleson said.

The 71-year-old alliance, which represents more than 40 churches, denounced what members called a disturbing trend of career-ending dismissals of African-American head coaches after two years or less among Bowl Championship Series schools.

Burleson also questioned Athletic Director Michael Bohn’s statement the school would provide Embree’s successor resources “unlike that given to any coach the school has had.” Why hadn’t Bohn provided adequate resources to Embree, Burleson asked.

“We see that the entire athletic program under the directives of Michael Bohn should be re-evaluated because of his unwillingness from the very beginning to have unfettered resources as the disposal of coach Embree,” Burleson.

Pastor Leon Emerson of Now Faith Christian Center Church said the issue of treatment of African Americans and lack of commitment to diversity by the CU administration is much broader than Embree’s case.

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